The SUNY New Paltz Athletics Department has named first-year student and volleyball player Michael Spiegel as their Athlete of the Week for their third edition of the spring semester.
Before becoming a Hawk, Spiegel played on the varsity volleyball New York State champion team and was varsity volleyball team captain from 2021-22.
Spiegel plays opposite on the men’s volleyball team and has played every match this season. He is one of six freshmen on the team. Spiegel’s best performance was in a match against Stevens Institute of Technology, where he had 16 kills and three digs. He is fifth on the team in kills.
One of Spiegel’s highlights from playing at the collegiate level was getting the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic with his team, who has welcomed him “with open arms.”
“I would have to say my favorite part about playing on the volleyball team at New Paltz would have to be the connection I have made with my teammates and the other teams at the school,” Spiegel said.
The men’s volleyball team has yet to play any UVC matches, which will be the most important in the season.
Spiegel says the rest of their season is going to be a lot of fun. “I am most excited to just keep experiencing what it really means to be a college athlete,” Spiegel said. “I am just really excited to keep experiencing new things and playing against better competition with my teammates.”